Back rest



July 18, 1961 P. DE ROSA EI'AL BACK REST Filed March 31, 1959 INVENTORS PAUL DE ROSA FRANK J. GROSS MAN 4 3 3 3 N. ail-2|! I m 4 3 i n i i This invention relates to plumbing fixtures and more particulariy to a fixture for a bath tub.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a back rest for use in bath tubs and showers that will enhance the comfort of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined back rest and back washer for use in bath tub and shower enclosures which will conform the general contour of the back and which can effectively be used for both washing the back and for providing a back rest for prolonged periods of time.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combined back rest and back washer of the above type that can be readily adjusted to any desired position for maximinn comfort.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a combined back rest and washer bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a combined back rest and washer made in accordance with the present invention in operative use;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a wall mounting bracket forming a part of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the back engaging member;

FIGURE 4 is a front plan view of the back rest mem ber shown in FIGURE 3 FIGURE 5 is a rear view of the device shown in FIG- URE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE .5.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, a combined back rest and washer 10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown in operative association upon a wall 12 adjacent to the interior of a bath tub 14. This assembly includes a mounting bracket having a wall plate in with screw holes 18 extending therethrough for receiving screws or bolts 19 for attaching the unit upon the wall 12. The wall plate 16 also includes a spherical socket 20 within which the ball end of a link 22 is supported for limited universal movement. The opposite end of the link 22 is also universally pivotally mounted at 20' upon the rear side of a mounting plate 24 having a pair of upwardly diverging angle members 26 secured to the face side thereof which define an upwardly opening channelway 28 that slidably receives a substantially trapezoidal securement plate 30 that is secured in spaced apart parallel relationship by means of mounting posts 32 to the rear side of a rigid back panel 34.

As is more clearly shown in FIGURES 3 to 6 of the drawing, the rigid back panel 34 is of generally forwardly concave configuration having a sponge rubber or sponge plastic layer 36 covering the facing concave side thereof.

ates Patent A terrycloth cover 38 encloses the sponge pad 36 and is removably secured to the rigid back panel 34, as is particularly shown in FIGURE 6.

The operation of this device will now be readily understood. The wall mounting plate 16 may be secured in any desired position adjacent to the bath tub 14 or higher up upon the Wall if it is to be used with a shower. When not in use as a back washer, this device may serve as a convenient back rest for enhancing the comfort of the user. If desired, waste scraps of soap, which would otherwise be discarded, may be placed beneath the terrycloth cover 38 and the sponge pad 36, to serve as a source of soap for more or less automatically washing the back of the user. Since the terrycloth cover 38 may be readily removed and washed, the assembly can be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times. If desired, the entire rigid panel 34 may be removed from the attachment plate 24 of the link assembly without requiring the wall bracket 16 to be removed from the wall. The dovetail type channelway 18 defined by the angle members 26 provides a convenient and secure attachment for the rigid back panel without any additional fastening elements or securement operations.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A combined back rest and scrubber comprising, in combination, a wall bracket including a wall mounting plate and screw means for fastening said wall mounting plate in predetermined position upon a wall, a rigid panel comprising a substantially dovetail-shaped panel having an outwardly concave surface provided with a compressible sponge pad secured to said outwardly concave surface, a substantially trapezoidal downwardly converging fastening plate smaller than said rigid panel in elevation and rigidly secured in spaced-apart parallel relationship upon the rear side of said rigid panel, an attachment plate provided with friction slide means comprising a pair of downwardly converging angle members secured upon the front side of said attachment plate and defining an upwardly opening channelway slidably downwardly receiving therein said downwardly converging trapezoidal fastening plate, a longitudinal link member having one end universally pivotally connected to the rear side of said attachment plate and having an opposite end universally pivotally connected to said wall mounting plate for mounting said attachment plate and the trapezoidal fastening plate and rigid panel carried thereby projecting from the wall for limited universal movement relative thereto.

2. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising a terrycloth covering layer removably secured to said rigid panel in overlying and enclosing relationship with said sponge pad.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 585,086 Cox June 22, 1897 2,592,160 Kunes Apr. 8, 1952 2,778,594 Boho Jan. 22, 1957 2,825,069 Jorgensen et al Mar. 4, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 143,277 Sweden Dec. 15, 1953 322,617 Germany July 5, 1920 

